There were no significant MK0683 differences

of TGF-β1 before and after splenectomy. The reason for the chronological changes in TGF-β1 levels after splenectomy is unknown because various factors including platelets may be involved in the production of TGF-β1. We also found a slightly higher number of TGF-β1 positive cells in non-tumor areas in the liver tissue of patients with HCC than in those without. Furthermore, the number of TGF-β1 positive cells significantly increased with the progression of liver fibrosis.[4, 21, 26, 42] In conclusion, splenectomy in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis may be able to improve liver fibrosis, cause beneficial immunological changes and lower the risk of carcinogenesis. It seems necessary to accumulate further cases to establish a convincing conclusion. This study was partially supported by a Health and Labor Sciences Research Grant from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Japan, regarding Research on Intractable Diseases, Portal Hemodynamic Abnormalities. “
“Background

and Aim:  Antituberculosis drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin, in combination, are known to develop drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH). A higher risk of DIH during antituberculosis treatment (ATT) has been reported in the Indian subcontinent compared to its Western counterparts. The role of genetic factors in a higher incidence of ATT hepatotoxicity in the Indian population is still unclear. The present study was aimed at investigating MCE the role of the N-acetyltransferase2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P4502E1 FDA-approved Drug Library order (CYP2E1) gene polymorphisms in ATT hepatotoxicity. Methods:  The study population included 218 pulmonary tuberculosis patients who were started on ATT and followed

up for the occurrence of ATT-induced hepatitis. The genetic polymorphisms of the NAT2 and CYP2E1 genes were studied by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results:  The occurrence of DIH was 18.8% (41/218). There was a higher prevalence of NAT2 slow-acetylator genotypes in DIH (70.73%) compared to non-DIH (44.63%; P < 0.05). The frequency of the NAT2*5/*7 and NAT2*6/*7 genotypes was significantly higher in DIH than non-DIH (19.51% vs 6.78%, and 19.51% vs 5.08%). No association of the CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism could be demonstrated with DIH. However, the DraI C/D genotype of the CYP2E1 gene was mostly prevalent in DIH (85.37%), compared to non-DIH (64.41%) (P < 0.05). Slow-acetylator status and the CYP2E1 C/D or C/C genotype together showed a higher frequency in DIH (65.85%) compared to non-DIH (28.81%) (P < 0.0001). Conclusion:  The study demonstrates for the first time a possible association between the DraI polymorphism of the CYP2E1 gene and the risk of ATT hepatotoxicity.